Russia

Photo: Team Russia forward and Philadelphia Flyers prospect Radel Fazleev competes for the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL where he has produced 14 goals and 42 points in 33 games so far in the 2015-16 season (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt/HF)

Photo: Team Russia goaltender Alexander Georgiev, shown here playing for TPS Turku, has been an important part of his country’s run through the preliminary round of the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, where the Russians have given up just seven goals in four games (courtesy of Duesseldorfer EG/Champions Hockey League via Getty Images)

Team Slovakia put up a good battle, but Team Russia was able to hang on to defeat the Slovaks by a 2-1 score on the final day of the preliminary round at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship. The win for the Russians sends them to a quarterfinal matchup with Denmark, while Slovakia has the uneviable task of facing off against what might be the best country at this year’s tournament, Sweden. Read more»

Perhaps there was no other outcome for Team Belarus at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, that outcome being a date with Switzerland in the relegation round of this tournament. The Belarusians haven’t played badly at this WJC, but nevertheless find themselves fighting to avoid a return to Division 1A at the U20 level. Read more»

Photo: Team Russia forward and 2016 prospect Maxim Lazarev is having another productive season in the QMJHL with the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles, posting 18 goals and 42 points in 30 games so far in 2015-16 (courtesy of Chapin Landvogt)

Team Russia has been nearly perfect at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, with the only “blemish” being a shootout win over the Czech Republic on the opening day of the tournament. They continued their roll through the preliminary round on Day 4 of this WJC, defeating Belarus 4-1 at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland. Read more»

Photo: Team Canada forward and Arizona Coyotes prospect Dylan Strome is once again among the scoring leaders in the OHL, with Strome having posted 16 goals and 53 points in 25 games for the Erie Otters in 2015-16 (courtesy of RONI REKOMAA/AFP/Getty Images)

The 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship is underway in Helsinki, Finland, and there are a number of developing storylines. Dylan Strome and the Canadian squad rebounded following a loss to Alex Nedeljkovic and the United States, and both players find their way in the this week’s Prospect Impressions. Joining them are Louke Oakley and Sergei Mozyakin with a pair of beauties from Europe, while Tyler Myers and Kevin Shattenkirk prevent goals in unique fashion. Read more»